Former Christie campaign aide subpoenaed by committee
(CNN) - New Jersey state lawmakers investigating an alleged political payback scheme involving aides to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have subpoenaed Matt Mowers to testify, a legislative source said.
Mowers, a former Christie campaign aide, is now executive director of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
CNN's GUT CHECK for April 30, 2014
CNN's GUT CHECK | for April 30, 2014 | 5 p.m.
– n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle
A WINDOW FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM? House Democrats and Republicans who have been pushing for action on immigration reform view the period right before the August recess as the latest possible time they could get any immigration measures to pass. A number of GOP primaries will be over by then, and despite continued conservative resistance, reform proponents believe Speaker Boehner wants to go on record before November. Publicly, of course, Boehner continues to say President Obama is the biggest obstacle to moving forward.
One senior House GOP member tells CNN recent discussions with members across the conference have made him feel more optimistic about the chances of getting something done before the election. One factor that could motivate House Republicans to act is the threat that Obama will cite congressional inaction as an excuse to use his executive powers to halt all deportations. Many Hill Republicans believe it's a question of when - not if - the President will make this move. And those involved in the immigration talks now believe both sides have an incentive to broker some form of a deal - even a more limited measure that links a form of legalization to tough, measurable enforcement mechanisms. – Deirdre Walsh
Cruz praises retired liberal justice
(CNN) - Retired Justice John Paul Stevens may have carved a mostly liberal record in his nearly 35 years on the U.S. Supreme Court, but he received high praise Wednesday from one of the most conservative members of Congress.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the 94-year-old Stevens one of the most effective and "dangerous" justices, and said he was lucky no longer having to face him on the bench.
Obama slams GOP over minimum wage vote
Washington (CNN) - A day after returning from his trip to Asia, President Barack Obama swung back into mid-term campaign mode in a fiery attack on Senate Republicans who blocked a bill to raise the minimum wage Wednesday .
"If your member of Congress doesn't support raising the minimum wage, you gotta let them know they're out of step and if they keep putting politics ahead of working Americans, you'll put them out of office," Obama said.
Reid: NFL should take note of NBA stance on race; force Redskins to change name
(CNN) – The National Football League should take note of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's stance on race and force the Washington Redskins to change their name, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Wednesday.
The Nevada Democrat applauded Silver's decisive action on Tuesday in meting out a lifetime ban to Donald Sterling after the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers was recorded making racist comments. Silver also urged other league owners to support his bid to force Sterling to sell the franchise.
GOP has intensity edge right now
Washington (CNN) - With just over six months to go until November's midterm elections, two new national polls suggest Republicans have an enthusiasm edge over Democrats.
And in midterm contests, which traditionally have a much lower turnout than presidential elections, getting out the base is crucial.
Rep. Thompson doubles down on racial remarks in interview with CNN's Dana Bash
(CNN) - In an exclusive interview with CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash, Rep. Bennie Thompson doubled down on controversial remarks he made about race over the weekend.
The Mississippi Democrat had argued Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a black conservative, is an "Uncle Tom" who doesn't stand up for African Americans.
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Bill Clinton plays professor, blasts media in Georgetown speech
Washington (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton's lecture on Wednesday had everything a Georgetown class usually has: A high profile professor, some carefully crafted slides and a handful of students dozing in their oversized sweatshirts.
Clinton, a Georgetown graduate, delivered an over 90-minute long lecture that addressed a topic with which he was intimately familiar – the eight years he was president. Clinton used his remarks to knock supply side economics, tout the economic growth that defined his presidency and, at one point, fault the media for their coverage of policy issues.
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Should U.S. butt out of international conflicts?
Washington (CNN) - Stay out.
That seems to increasingly be the message from Americans when it comes to U.S. involvement in global hotspots, such as the crisis in Ukraine and the bloody civil war in Syria.
GOP blocks minimum wage bill in Senate
(CNN) - Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a top legislative and political priority of Democrats, a bill to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.
The measure failed to gain enough support in a procedural vote to open debate.
In framing the issue ahead of November's midterm elections, Democrats have portrayed the GOP as insensitive to the needs of low-wage workers.
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